Ontario’s provincial power distributor is preparing for a surge of activity in the St. Thomas region, planning a new high-voltage power line to help juice auto giant Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle battery plant.
Ontario’s provincial power distributor is preparing for a surge of activity in the St. Thomas region, planning a new high-voltage power line to help juice auto giant Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle battery plant.
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Although in its early stages, Hydro One has plans to have a new power line completed when German automaker’s enormous 186,000-square-meter (two million-square-foot) facility is expected to open in St. Thomas.
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“The new St. Thomas line project will power Ontario’s growing electric vehicle industry, support future economic growth and help bring thousands of jobs to southwest Ontario by connecting the new electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing facility in the city of St. Thomas to Ontario’s clean electricity grid,” Hydro One’s website states about the proposal.
If the proposal goes according to plan, construction could begin in 2025, with a 2027 completion target, the same year the $7-billion electric-vehicle battery plant is projected to open.
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The 230-kilovolt double circuit transmission line would stretch 20 kilometers from near Highway 401, where the company already has a hydro corridor in London, to a newly planned transformer station in St. Thomas.
Hydro One is studying three possible routes and their variations for the proposed power transmission line.
The utility is beginning an environmental assessment process “rooted in engagement and consultation and (one that) ensures potential natural, economic, social and cultural effects are thoroughly considered before a project begins,” reads the website.
“Engagement with Indigenous communities, landowners, businesses, stakeholder groups, government agencies and other interested parties is critical to help us select the preferred routes that considers the needs and interests of the region.”
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“The transmission line will support the largest electric vehicle-related investment in Ontario’s and Canada’s history, which will strengthen the auto manufacturing industry and work to meet the demand for electric vehicles now and into the future,” the company’s website states.
The St. Thomas area is buzzing in other sectors too.
The city’s economic development officer, Sean Dyke, said last month more than 55,700 square meters (600,000 square meters) of new development on 16 hectares of local industrial land was in the works and “there could be 1.5 million square feet (140,000 square meters) all said and done.”
Demand for power has grown in Southwestern Ontario from population and economic growth.
Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator estimates demand for power in the region will quadruple during the next decade.
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On Monday, Hydro One said in a statement it had, “submitted the final environmental study report and statement of completion to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for the St. Clair transmission line project,” a project with the same power output as the St. Thomas line.
The St. Clair project involves constructing a double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line, expanding the existing Chatham switching station and Lambton transformer station and converting the existing Wallaceburg transmission to 230 kilovolts.
“Hydro One is pleased to have reached this important stage in the planning of this transmission project that will address the forecasted energy demand and growth in southwest Ontario,” said Sonny Karunakaran, vice-president, strategic projects and partnerships.
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The power company has scheduled two upcoming open houses to meet with community members about the proposed line extending from London to St. Thomas.
With files from the London Free Press
The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada
OPEN HOUSES
What: Open house to introduce a new high-voltage power line between London and St. Thomas and a presentation of proposed routes.
When: Feb. 9 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: St. Anne’s Center in St. Thomas, 20 Morrison Dr.
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When: Feb. 10 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Belmont arena and community center in Belmont, 14020 Belmont Rd.
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